Earlier this week I posted a photograph of Yours Truly, and it was found to be way to large upon being submitted to this forum.

Instead of sending a second portrait, I am enclosing the photograph of a piano that is used as the desktop photograph on my computer. You will be looking at a picture of Australian piano builder Stuart and Son's gorgeous 98 key piano. THIS is the instrument that I lust after, in my heart!

At first glance, you may simply agree this is a beautiful instrument. Upon closer inspection, you will observe that the keys range from the F below the normal low A on a piano, and the treble extends to the F above the usual high C of the piano.

If interested in this marvelous instrument, please perform a Google search on Stuart and Sons piano.

Just wondering... do these extra keys hold a special attraction for you - except for diminishing the risk of hurting your knuckles on the sideboard when you need to plunge into the lowest A ? I have never so far come across a piece that needs any additional keys - have you ?

Of course, traditional piano literature does not extend the notation beyond the usual 88 keys.

The fascination I have for extra keys involves playing Busoni's or Liszt's transcriptions of J.S. Bach's organ recordings on the piano.

In addition, Busoni's transcription of JSB's Chaconne has, on the last page a series of descending lowest piano octaves ---- D, C, Bb, A, ... and proceeds to fall short on the final G, because one does not exist, save for Bosendorfers and Stuart & Sons instruments. When I perform the Bach-Busoni Chaconne, I (being the piano tuner) DE-Tune the lowest B natural down to low G!!! In that way, I can create a mini-Bosendorfer sound to the ending of the piece! Besides, B natural is not used in this piece (D minor wherein the B's are flatted.)

* * * * *

The other reason I am so fascinated with extended keyboards ... involves the sonority of the piano. When the sustain pedal is depressed, all dampers are raised as expected. The raised-damper condition allows ALL strings whose natural resonant modes coincide with the regular notes being played ... to vibrate in sympathetic motion with the original notes.

The above paragraph addresses WHY electronic pianos sound so weak when playing with the sustain pedal depressed -- they only "sustain" the notes being depressed at the time, whereas a good piano's strings create a literal symphony of sound.

Here is a simple experiment for you to try on your own piano. It consists of two variations of the same sympathetic vibration theme.

Slowly depress C3, such that only its damper is released but the string is not vibrating. Whilst holding down C3, then hit the lowest C with a sharp attack, and listen to what happens. You should be able to hear the C3 pitch ring out, even though you did not hit it with the hammer.

Next try the same thing with G4, except strike the LOWEST C -- this time you will hear the G ring out, despite "only" having hit the lowest C note.

As a variant to the above, slowly depress the lowest C key, allowing its damper to release, and the string does not vibrate. Next hit a C3 or a G4 or any number of other tones, either singly or together. You will hear those very same tones in the "non-struck" low C. In reality, the low C string ALREADY CONTAINED those extra harmonics, but most people are not able to recognise, unless revealed by these party tricks!

Going one step further, it is this application of sympathetic vibration that adds to the tonal pallete of a gorgeous piano.

Earlier this week I posted a photograph of Yours Truly, and it was found to be way to large upon being submitted to this forum.

Perhaps I misunderstood you as I thought it was you who asked for help removing the picture. In my eager to help, I simply removed it. It would be no problems at all having it in this topic and it is kind of interesting to see how you all look .

A very artful and atmospheric photograph Julius. But it doesn't help much ... it could be anyone really. I guess you prefer to remain incognito.

I must admit there is no love lost between me and the camera. But here's one which is not too bad, me having a stylish lunch in Rome last year. I cut out a part of this one to use on my page on the site.

As well as one of the family - not sure what they were doing there.

Pics of the dog, rabbit, chickens and ducks will be sent by private request

Ha, ha, ha, Robert. Those are funny pics. I remember when my kids did that. They still like to tackle me whenever I'm standing by my bed. It's not so fun, anymore, because the older one weighs more than me, and the younger one is almost there too.

Enclosed is a photograph of Yours Truly and Mrs. Yours Truly when we attended a Halloween costume party a number of years ago.

This photograph is intended for entertainment purposes only. No political statements are intended; if the moderators dislike this photo, they are free to remove it from this thread.

Before someone asks, the TNT/dynamite prop consists of three red cardboard rolls used to spool engineering chart paper, and the timing device is nothing more than a high temperature thermometer.

The moustache was created by my wife, who kindly donated a lock of her hair for my costume. Her face is covered in this photograph -- when she removed the cover from her face at the party, the guests laughed to find that two of her front teeth had been blackened out.

(as you see Technuet, even my self portrait in this web page has the same vibe of 1) low key lighting and 2) never making direct eye contact with the camera....muahaha...I just do not like being photographed. I prefer to be behind the camera)!

as you see Technuet, even my self portrait in this web page has the same vibe of 1) low key lighting and 2) never making direct eye contact with the camera....muahaha...I just do not like being photographed. I prefer to be behind the camera)!

Or behind the sniper gun... sheesh you look fearsome !
The pics of the squirrel are beautiful though.

I shouldn't lean forward so much. But if I wanna play good it just automatically happens.

lol_nl, I'm not sure what piano teacher professors say, but I think you should sit however you are comfortable. I saw Joyce Yang or Lang play and she sat very close. Some people have mentioned that I sit too far back from the keys. Hmmm, maybe that should tell me something. Anyway, what kind of piece uses the piano and the bongo drum? ( I'm joking, but then again, maybe there is such a piece?)

Just kidding! Although I do have one on file that I send to my friend as a joke of how us female teachers in Canada might increase the appeal of piano lessons to teenage boys. It is a large-busted gal standing in her bikini at the grand piano. If anyone wants it, let me know. Scared to put it here for fear that Chris or Robert will kick me off of the forum!

Just kidding! Although I do have one on file that I send to my friend as a joke of how us female teachers in Canada might increase the appeal of piano lessons to teenage boys. It is a large-busted gal standing in her bikini at the grand piano. If anyone wants it, let me know. Scared to put it here for fear that Chris or Robert will kick me off of the forum!

The hell we will, we LOVE that sort of thing ! Go post it, quickly !!
Shame about the bikini though But have to keep things decent here.

I like to shoot guns/ collect guns / hunt (sometimes, though i have not been out for four years). You have to remember, unlike the Dutch practically every gosh darn Yankee has a gun or two or three

.....I have 7

This seems to be the problem with the USA, everybody toting guns from an early age on. Bunch of cowboys.... Not that there's never a shooting in Europe, but it is by far not as common as guns can not be bought unless you have a license.

Just wondering... do these extra keys hold a special attraction for you - except for diminishing the risk of hurting your knuckles on the sideboard when you need to plunge into the lowest A ? I have never so far come across a piece that needs any additional keys - have you ?

Might be a bit off-topic, but I know that Debussy wrote some pieces that call for notes below the lowest register of most pianos. I played on a Bosendorfer imperial grand once some time ago and found that the only way to make the sound of those notes palatable was to play them in unison with the next octave up, and voice it so the top note comes out clearer, the bottom note adding presence more than sound. I doubt many of those extended low notes would have much of a use on their own as the sound is just too brash.

Yes it is a neat picture even though not very sharp (perhaps that is intended).

But this is not a photography forum - the idea of this thread was that we can see what the other looks like. I have to say, juufa, you are being rather secretive about that, only posting your
art photos.

My camera was set on a tripod and I used a cable release with a 10second delay (giving me enough time to run from the camera to that spot). The camera was also set for 400ISO speed with an apeture (aka opening of the blades, bigger the number smaller the apeture) of f/5.2 and the shutter was open for 3 minutes.

All this in mind the moon is very powerful in giving off light. That's why it looks like day. Sheesh people maybe you should go outside at night during a full moon, instead of playing the piano You'll be surprised!

It is blurry by accident because it is too hard to see through the camera at night because of the lack of light available for the human eye. The rangefinder on my camera is quite small and dark

Incognito, Mr. Techneut.

My saying goes, "attraction lies in the unknown" why go overt when you can go covert and be mysterious? The unknown is very hypnotic and it leaves the viewer wanting more and leaves the viewer with lots of questions and fantasies .....so I think.

-JG

_________________Madam, what makes you think that I play with my hands?

Sheesh people maybe you should go outside at night during a full moon, instead of playing the piano You'll be surprised!

That's funny. You may be surprised to know that I'm interested in astronomy and I do go outside in the middle of the night each and every time there is a meteor shower. I climb out my bedroom window onto my roof and lie down to watch the show. Unfortunately, I either fall asleep, or the clouds obstruct the view so I never get to see a good one. It's always the case of, "maybe next time". I also have a telescope but can't figure out how to use it.

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

I climb out my bedroom window onto my roof and lie down to watch the show. Unfortunately, I either fall asleep, or the clouds obstruct the view so I never get to see a good one. It's always the case of, "maybe next time". I also have a telescope but can't figure out how to use it.

Hehe, that is funny, falling asleep on the roof Ever got woken up by a shower ?

Also funny is having things and not knowing how to use them.... At least you know how to use your piano, which is what counts !

No, but one time an owl scared me to death. It 'hooted' in a tree right next to the house, about 8 feet from where I was. I jumped up and ran practically head first through my window, not remembering that I had closed the screen when I first went out there. The screen is still ripped and my husband says I have to fix it. He thinks my nocturnal outings are silly.

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

No, but one time an owl scared me to death. It 'hooted' in a tree right next to the house, about 8 feet from where I was. I jumped up and ran practically head first through my window, not remembering that I had closed the screen when I first went out there. The screen is still ripped and my husband says I have to fix it. He thinks my nocturnal outings are silly.

Ah, but he does not realize, as we do what a Nocturnal creature you are Great story. I wish we had owls here. Dunno why, I just love these birds.

Both taken during my short stay in the flattest country in the world...aka the Netherlands.

the top is me (less incognito) wearing the orange for our trip to the local bar to watch Holland play Serbia in the World Cup. The second photo is my artsy picture of a church organ in Delft. (I think it was Delft)

_________________Madam, what makes you think that I play with my hands?

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